The Minnesota Timberwolves are likely to be a tax-paying team again next season. That will make it difficult to do much in free agency, but they will have the taxpayer MLE available to use, worth slightly more than $6 million.
Utilizing it on a wing who is a capable outside shooter may be the best way to spend that money, particularly with Donte DiVincenzo out with a torn Achilles. An upcoming free agent that Minnesota should have interest in is Simone Fontecchio.
Fontecchio can help fill the role that is missing due to DiVincenzo’s injury
For the first time in his NBA career, Fontecchio will be a free agent. Now 30 years old, the 6-foot-7 forward began his professional career playing in his home country of Italy before making his way to the States in the 2022-23 season as a member of the Utah Jazz.
After a somewhat disappointing year with the Detroit Pistons in 2024-25, Fontecchio rebounded nicely this season with the Miami Heat. Playing 16.8 minutes per contest over 70 games, he averaged 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Fontecchio connected on 37.5 percent of his 3-point tries on 4.7 attempts per game. He also had 4 outings of at least 20 points.
On the defensive side, he’s not a slouch. Fontecchio actually showed much of his best work of his career on that end with Miami.
There definitely seems to be a fit with the Timberwolves, as Fontecchio will not command a large salary. While it’s unclear who will be on Minnesota’s roster next season as trade rumors abound regarding the club, I can easily see the team using Fontecchio as the third or fourth man off the bench.
Projecting a next contract for a player can be a rather difficult endeavor. It takes just one team to offer Fontecchio a contract that the Timberwolves wouldn't be able to match. Fontecchio's last deal, which he signed with Detroit, was for $16 million over two years. Now that he's 30, I think he may sign for a bit less in free agency, and perhaps the taxplayer MLE can get the job done.
More than 21 percent of the 3-pointers thrown up by the Wolves were taken by DiVincenzo. While it will be difficult to replace everything he can do while he’s out most, if not all, of next season, they could use another accurate, high-volume 3-point shooter such as Fontecchio.
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